Coming off the first official road trip of the season, the Sabres’ brass has to be pleased with the effort and results the team produced over the four game span.

Taking 6-of-8 points on the road is outstanding, but combined with the recent trip to Europe (where the Sabres were technically the home team in Finland) to kickoff the season, the Sabres have taken 10-of-12 possible points all away from the friendly confines of ‘Hockey Heaven.’

Sitting one point behind the division leading Maple Leafs shouldn’t leave Sabres faithful too high, nor too low, especially considering the Leafs played 5-of-7 games in the comfort of the Air Canada Centre in downtown Toronto.

‘”I think we’ve got to get the lead,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff after Monday’s practice at First Niagara Center. “If you get the lead, it pulls them out of what they want to try to do. We had early chances that could’ve got us on the board and didn’t finish.”‘

‘“I’ve always said it takes time,” Ruff said Monday. “There’s a lot of examples of players that step in and initially it’s tough. He’s done some good things. Obviously, he’s been uncomfortable in some situations. But I like what he’s done so far. I’d like him to have better numbers but he doesn’t.”’

‘“We’ll make the adjustments. We’ve got some pieces that we’re going to switch around. There’s guys that can obviously go into that role; Ville (Leino) can go over to the left side. We’re going to try some different things.”’

‘”Finally is right,” center Luke Adam said. “It seems like we haven’t played a home game yet. We’ve been at home probably four days all season. It’ll be nice to get home and be in front of the home fans.”‘

‘The Robert H. Jackson Center will host a free continuing legal education seminar titled, “The Anatomy of the Buffalo Sabres” on Nov. 1. A variety of speakers will be featured including principal speaker Ted Black, president of the Buffalo Sabres, and guest luncheon speaker Danny Gare, prolific Sabres scorer.’

‘”He’s a great guy, very good hockey player,” defenseman Andrej Sekera said in St. Pete Times Forum. “He’s always got a positive attitude. I think it’s as fun for him as it is for us. We knew he was a great defenseman, but he is just proving he belongs out there.”‘